RCTC took a significant step to advance the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension with the approval of a Progressive Design-Build Phase 1 contract. The project is a major investment aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel for Riverside County residents along one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.

“The I-15 corridor is a heavily traveled route in Riverside County and a critical connection for residents, commuters, and goods movement throughout our region,” said Raymond Gregory, Mayor of Cathedral City and Chair of RCTC. “This project is an important step toward helping people spend less time stuck in traffic.”

As a major first for a highway infrastructure project in California, RCTC is utilizing a Progressive Design-Build method to accelerate the delivery of the project. Phase 1 includes the preliminary design along with validating the project scope and negotiating the cost for Phase 2. Phase 2 will include final design and construction.

The project will extend the existing I-15 Express Lanes approximately 15.8 miles south by adding two Express Lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road in Corona to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project includes widening up to 15 bridges, constructing auxiliary lanes, installing electronic toll collection systems, and implementing drainage and noise reduction features along existing right-of-way.

Based on available funding, the project could begin construction in late 2027 and open to traffic by 2030. Once completed, the project is expected to improve traffic flow and help Riverside County residents and commuters traveling through the I-15 corridor spend less time in traffic.

For more information about the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension and to sign up for updates, please visit: rctc.org/15projectsouth

Did you miss one of the three I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension public meetings in October? No need to worry. Riverside County residents still have time to view and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (DEIR/EA). The public comment period runs through November 26, 2024. The release of the Draft EIR/EA is a significant milestone for the project, moving the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the heavily traveled I-15.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The new Express Lanes would not replace any existing lanes. The project includes adding two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp. Construction on the I-15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension may begin in 2027, depending on funding availability.

To review and comment on the Draft EIR/EA or to view material from the open house public meetings, please visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

In what marks a significant milestone for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, RCTC and Caltrans have released the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the public to review and submit comments. The release of the Draft EIR/EA moves the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the highway subject to project approval upon completion of the environmental process. Due to rapid population growth along the corridor and increased freight movement, traffic congestion continues to make the commute to and from southwest Riverside County difficult. The project aims to provide alternative travel choices and traffic relief to this region.

The 45-day public comment period runs from October 9 to November 26, 2024. RCTC will also be hosting three open house public meetings to provide the public information and to gather feedback from residents on the project.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project would add two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges and would not replace any existing lanes. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between both the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp, and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp.

Once the entire 15.8-mile length is constructed, the project would provide a reliable tolled travel time option to move motorists through this congested corridor and maintain compatibility with the regional Express Lanes network. The project would also increase opportunities for mass transit, such as RTA Express Buses and carpooling.

Residents are encouraged to review the draft environmental document at rctc.org/15ProjectSouth or at libraries in Corona and Lake Elsinore. Comments may be submitted through the following methods:

• Email: 15ProjectSouth@rctc.org
• By U.S. Mail at:
  Jeff Dietzler, Capital Projects Manager (Tolling)
  Riverside County Transportation Commission
  4080 Lemon Street, Third Floor
  P.O. Box 12008
  Riverside, CA 92501
• Three Open House Public Meetings scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the dates below; the content will be the same at the three meetings. Spanish interpretation will be provided.

For more information on the 15 Express Project Southern Extension and to sign up for project updates, visit: rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

Extending the I-15 Express Lanes south beyond Cajalco Road in Corona is part of RCTC’s 10-Year Western Riverside County Delivery Plan to deliver traffic relief to the growing communities along the I-15 corridor. With the approval of the Project and Construction Management (PCM) contract to Parsons, the Commission is getting ready to line up contractors and agency agreements to begin construction on the 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension (ELPSE) by 2026. 

The 15 ELPSE will construct two express lanes in each direction from Cajalco Road to State Route 74 (Central Ave.) in Lake Elsinore. This 14.5-mile extension of the Riverside County express lanes system is designed to bring much-needed mobility options to the area. Over the past 20 years, the community of Temescal Valley and the cities of Lake Elsinore and Corona have grown tremendously, bringing with it new housing, residents, and increased travel throughout the region.

Once complete, the new express lanes will give motorists an option for a reliable commute between Lake Elsinore, the 60, and Orange County. With additional lanes, congestion relief of the general-purpose lanes is possible, improving traffic operations. The 15 ELPSE will also help improve transit and rideshare options by providing free-flowing lanes to buses and commuters that carpool or vanpool. This cost-effective commute opens possibilities for new routes and employers to incentivize employees to avoid solo car trips. 

The Commission will use an innovative progressive design-build project delivery method to speed up construction. Unlike traditional construction-bid delivery methods, the progressive design-build method will allow RCTC to engage with the design-build contractor earlier, enabling solutions that save funding and help maintain the construction schedule. This progressive design-build approach is vital as the Commission continues to assemble funding for this project. With this process, RCTC will have the option to build and deliver the project in phases. This innovative project method is made possible by the passage of recently approved Senate Bill 617. 

The project is a partnership between RCTC and Caltrans and will be funded with a combination of federal and local sources. Sign up to receive project updates at rctc.org/15expsouth. 

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in our society. As an agency with a staff made up of predominately women, 56% to be exact, RCTC understands the value of women in the workplace. These talented individuals working at RCTC and for engineering, planning, and outreach firms, are transforming transportation and leading important conservation efforts in Riverside County.

Women comprised of only 8% of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce in the 1970s. By 2019, that number had climbed to 27%. As more women enter the STEM fields, they can look to RCTC’s elected officials, executives, and project managers for inspiration.

RCTC First Vice Chair and Lake Elsinore Councilmember Bob Magee explained that the new interchange will help Lake Elsinore residents and community members to the east in Canyon Lake, who use Railroad Canyon Road to reach I-15. He praised the team, including Lake Elsinore City Engineer Remon Habib, for completing the project design after many years and for expediting the construction phase.

“Congratulations to RCTC, Caltrans, the City of Lake Elsinore, and the entire construction team for getting this project to the finish line,” Magee said.

The project added auxiliary lanes to I-15 to help drivers merge on and off the highway and reduce traffic bottlenecks. It also removed a traffic signal that was no longer needed, improved coordination between signals, added a second on-ramp to give drivers another option to enter northbound I-15, and built new sidewalks and bike lanes to enhance walkability.

Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel noted the collaboration needed to secure the project funding, which includes state and city sources, plus funds from the Western Riverside Council of Governments’ Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee program or TUMF. The TUMF program requires new development to pay its fair share for the increased traffic it creates. For the interchange, $29 million in TUMF was used to match $15 million that RCTC secured in state gasoline tax competitive grant funds.

“The project was all about teamwork,” Spiegel said. “From the funding to the construction, the team truly pulled together to make this project a success.”

Final work will continue through the spring. To receive updates about this remaining work, text “RAILROAD” to 77222 or follow @railroadcanyon on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

RCTC and Caltrans have nearly completed the program-level environmental document for this proposed service.  The funding would allow work to advance to the next stage – project-level environmental studies and preliminary engineering of the 76-mile eastern section of track, up to six stations, a new third main track, and associated grade crossings and signal improvements on the eastern end of the corridor.

A $3 million request was made of Representative Ken Calvert to help fund design of the proposed Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension.

RCTC has proposed extending the existing 15 Express Lanes by an additional 14.5 miles, from Cajalco Road in Corona, through the Temescal Valley, to Route 74/Central Avenue in Lake Elsinore. Once built, the project is expected to improve traffic operations and travel times, expand travel choice through carpooling and mass transit, increase travel time reliability, and manage long-term traffic congestion spurred by increased goods movement and population growth. Preliminary engineering and environmental studies are under way now.

In addition, RCTC requested $3 million of Representative Mark Takano to help fund construction of the City of Riverside’s Third Street Grade Separation Project.

The city proposes reducing public safety risks by redirecting vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle traffic below the busy railroad tracks at Third Street. Riverside is trisected by two freight rail lines, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. These rail lines carry more than 75% of the freight handled by the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach through Riverside. Every day, approximately 128 trains pass through the city. At-grade crossings pose safety risks, create traffic delays, increase emissions from idling vehicles, and delay emergency response. The $3 million-request would allow construction of the project to separate Third Street from the railroad tracks and connect the downtown and Eastside communities of Riverside.

RCTC hopes to build upon its success of securing $5 million in Community Project Funding from Representative Calvert for the Smart Freeway Pilot in Murrieta and Temecula and will continue to advocate for additional funding from state and federal partners.

Led by the City of Corona, the project will build a bridge to elevate McKinley Street over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks and Arlington Channel. The new bridge will relieve congestion, speed up emergency response to residents and businesses, improve air quality, and provide a safer passage for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. For information and to stay connected, visit the project website.

Interstate 15 Main Street Interchange

RCTC also approved Measure A Western County Regional Arterial funds in October for the City of Lake Elsinore’s I-15 Main Street Interchange Improvement Project. Like the McKinley Street project, the Main Street Interchange faced a funding deficit, due to bids that were higher than anticipated. The Commission approved $2.46 million in Measure A funding, in addition to $5.48 million that RCTC approved in June 2020.  The City of Lake Elsinore also contributed $1.7 million in local funds and Caltrans contributed $476,000 toward the project, which is scheduled to start construction next year.

Located along I-15 between Central Avenue/Route 74 to the north and Railroad Canyon Road to the south, the I-15 Main Street Interchange improvements include widening Main Street from two to four lanes, adding ramp meters, improving northbound and southbound on- and off-ramps, and installing traffic signals at the ramp intersections.  The City of Lake Elsinore is leading the project.

Jurupa Road Grade Separation

In addition, RCTC approved $25 million in Measure A funds for the Jurupa Road Grade Separation in Jurupa Valley in July. The allocation provided the final piece of funding for the project, which is funded primarily by $108.4 million from Senate Bill 132. The County of Riverside is the lead agency for the project. Measure A made up a funding shortfall caused by the need to design a pump station for drainage, additional right of way costs, and higher construction costs than originally estimated.

Construction began late this summer and is expected to take about two years to complete. Once it opens, the underpass will cross beneath the train tracks and Van Buren Boulevard and improve safety, traffic flow, and air quality in this area. Regional population growth and rail freight traffic from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have increased congestion and delays at the existing at-grade crossing.

To register for project updates or for more information, visit the project website.

Harnik also noted that during the past 10 months, many Riverside County residents have pivoted and adjusted to changes in the way they work, learn and shop, due to COVID-19, and RCTC is positioned to offer support as needed.

“RCTC must work with all stakeholders to understand and respond to the changes in work and lifestyle, such as telecommuting, online learning, e-commerce, and more. This will allow us to provide support and use our transportation funding efficiently,” she said.

Caring for the environment is another priority for Harnik as the Commission Chair. In January, RCTC become the managing agency for the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, which oversees the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. The plan aims to preserve 500,000 acres of land to provide habitat to 146 native species and expedite the environmental approval process for transportation projects. Read about the RCA and its mission and register for news updates.